1 We have clues of the earliest people of Colorado dating back to about 15,000 years ago. They were hunters and nomads. Around 5,000 B.C., they learned to farm. Little is known about them. Around 1200-1500 B.C., the Anasazi lived in the southwestern part of the state in cliff dwellings.2 Coronado, a Spanish explorer, passed through southeastern Colorado. He was looking for the seven cities that legends said were paved with gold. After that, many other Spanish explorers came to Colorado.3 In 1800, Spain gave it to the French. In 1803, it was sold to the U.S. as part of the Louisiana Purchase. In 1806, Pike explored the state. A famous 14,110-foot peak is named after him.